Spezi facts for kids

Spezi in its brand-name bottle

A generic "Spezi" drink, a mix of cola and orange soda

Spezi is a popular soft drink that mixes cola and orange soda. It started as a brand name owned by a company called Brauhaus Riegele in Augsburg, Germany. But over time, the name "Spezi" became so well-known that people in many German speaking countries use it to describe any drink that is a mix of cola and orange soda, even if it's not the original brand. This is called a genericized trademark.

How Spezi Started

The company Brauhaus Riegele first registered the "Spezi" name in 1956. Back then, they actually sold beer under this name!

From Beer to Soda

In the 1970s, Spezi changed. Instead of beer, it became the cola-orange soda mix we know today. Many different local breweries started making and bottling Spezi. They did this through a special agreement called franchising. This means they paid the original company for the right to use the Spezi name and recipe.

Spezi on TV

The very first TV commercial for Original Spezi Cola Orange was shown in 1989. This helped make the drink even more famous.

Other Cola-Orange Drinks

Spezi is not the only cola-orange mix out there. Many big drink companies also make similar sodas. These drinks are most popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Popular Competitors

• Schwip Schwap is a similar drink made by PepsiCo.
• Mezzo Mix is another well-known one from the Coca-Cola Company.

You can also find cheaper versions of these drinks in grocery stores. These are often called "Cola-Mix" and are made by the store's own generic brand.

What's in Spezi?

Spezi is made from several ingredients that give it its unique taste.

Main Ingredients

• Water
• Sugar (including glucose-fructose syrup)
• Orange juice concentrate (about 2.3%)
• Lemon juice from concentrate (about 0.8%)
• Carbon dioxide (which makes it fizzy)
• Caramel color (for its brown color)
• Acids like phosphoric acid and citric acid (for flavor)
• Natural flavoring
• Caffeine (a stimulant)
• Citrus extract
• Locust bean gum (a stabilizer that helps keep it mixed)

Different Versions

Just like many other sodas, Spezi also comes in different types. For example, you can find a sugar-free version if you prefer less sugar.